How many should a beginner start with?

[Jdc361]

Starting ducks is a very exciting but be cautious! I started with 9 ducks however I wished I would have started smaller. I hatched them myself. If the flock were smaller I might be able to enjoy their individual personalities more. They are all VERY unique and fun to watch! I would say 4-6 is an ideal number. Also being inexperienced it took me awhile to find the best routine/set-up for the ducks and myself. Three things ducks love: Routines, Frozen Peas, and Water (lots and lots of it).

I have 3 jumbo Pekins, 1 crested Pekin, 3 Cayugas, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Swedish. The Cayugas are defiantly the least sociable. The Buff has an interesting personality but is a tad skiddish. The Pekins seem to be the most sociable in general but it really depends on the individual duck. Luna and Willow are both Pekin hens, however one is shy and the other friendly. 

Having an all hen (female) or all drake (male) flock is ideal. However then you deprive them of mating. If you do get a mixed flock keep in mind that over-breeding is a huge problem that can injure/kill the hens. Keeping a 1 drake - 4 hen ratio has worked well for me. 

I recommend reading The Ultimate Pet Duck Guidebook by Kimberly Link. An overall guide, its great!

Well Pekins I hear are very noisy... Is that true

 

[UniqueChickens]

I had a female Pekin duck and she was noisy

 

[Ducky07]

Yes unfortunately they are a tad noisy. The males are not so bad, but this is typical in every breed.
Actually I had to separate the males and females for awhile; the difference between the noise level was incredible!

 

[Jdc361]

Yes unfortunately they are a tad noisy. The males are not so bad, but this is typical in every breed. 
Actually I had to separate the males and females  for awhile; the difference between the noise level was incredible! 

Ugh they can't be noisy

 

[Mrs.H]

Ugh they can't be noisy

Why exactly are you looking for a quiet duck? I'm not trying to be rude but just seen this asked over and over on multi threads. What if you find a quiet breed based on other ppls ducks but they end up being noisy??? Then what?? I have 2 Rouens for example one is super quiet one is loud and over dramatic. Sometimes noise level is just an individual ducks personality.

 

[Jdc361]

P

Why exactly are you looking for a quiet duck? I'm not trying to be rude but just seen this asked over and over on multi threads. What if you find a quiet breed based on other ppls ducks but they end up being noisy??? Then what?? I have 2 Rouens for example one is super quiet one is loud and over dramatic. Sometimes noise level is just an individual ducks personality.

ok

 

[Jennn27]

I have three that we bought as ducklings, and they are now around 7-8 weeks. They do grow fast, so make sure you are prepared for that, too! lol I have a black Runner (Corky), a Magpie-mix(Oreo), and a Khaki Campbell (Dutchy). Dutchy is my favorite, but the other two aren't far behind.

As for the noise level, Corky is definitely the loudest and most vocal, but they ALL have their moments!

In order: Corky, Dutchy, and Oreo.

 

[Beer can]

I started with khaki campbells, mallards and pekins. Then next thing I know I was over run with them Lol. The crosses made great broodies. Khaki campbells will lay more eggs than any chicken breed. I'll warn you though, never met a quite duck. I don't have any right now but when I get them again and I recommend checking out the Livestock Concervancy. http://albc-usa.etapwss.com/images/uploads/docs/pickaduck.pdf
There are many critically endangered duck breeds in need of help. I'll probably go with Cayuga cause they lay neat black eggs.
Oops, that link didn't work for me, try this one and then go to duckshttp://www.livestockconservancy.org/

 

[localife]

I have Welsh Harlequins, and I love them -- they are beautiful, not exceptionally loud or quiet, completely hilarious, and are also a Livestock Conservancy Heritage Breed. I chose them because my two main intentions are eggs and heritage ducks, but the fact is, I just get a huge kick out of them, and I suspect that would have been true no matter what breed I chose.

If you are getting ducks primarily as pets, I wouldn't get any more than three or four -- it is much easier to bond with and enjoy small numbers of birds. I never get fewer than three of any flock or herd animal, because if you have two and one dies, you've got a problem. I also find the dynamics are smoother when there are more than two flock/herd animals. If you want eggs, be sure you look at the average rate of laying for the breeds you are considering so that you can figure out if you will end up with enough, or too many, eggs. And I recommend to anyone who is considering poultry (or any other livestock), think about the future -- what are you going to do when they are sick, injured,old, you have to move....whatever -- have a plan before you start, or at least be thinking about these things.

 

[Icravepoultry]

Probably get all drakes
I have a runner drake and he is not at all noisy
So any breed should be fine as long as you get drakes